Every review published by Vegbooks from 2009 through 2021.
Tim Flannery’s WEIRD, WILD, AMAZING! is a must-have for any child who loves fauna of any kind. And who doesn’t? If the Star-Nosed Moles don’t convince you, perhaps the Hoatzins will. And if animals you are unfamiliar…
Tags: animal factsAnimalselementary readersmust-haveNorton Young ReadersSam CladwellTim FlanneryWeird Wild Amazing!
WHAT’S THE MATTER, MARLO? by Andrew Arnold addresses how children can tackle difficult emotions and recognize the strength between friends. The narrator and her best friend Marlo do everything together, including…
Tags: Andrew Arnoldchildren's bookEarly ElementaryFriendshipGriefpreschoolWhat's The Matter Marlo?
ALREADY A BUTTERFLY by Julia Alvarez and Illustrated by Raúl Colón is a poignant reminder to (almost literally) stop and smell the roses. Mari is a beautiful butterfly who is always busy, anxious, and productive, but…
Tags: Already a Butterflybreathe in breathe outButterfliesEarly Readerselementary readersJulia AlvarezMeditationPicture BookRaúl Colón
For a riotous romp through destruction and ambitious ideas gone wrong, Jonathan Stutzman’s LLAMA UNLEASHES THE ALPACALYPSE, the second installment in his Llama Book series, is just what kids and families will want.…
Tags: Early ElementaryHeather FoxJonathan StutzmanLlama Unleashes the AlpacalypsePicture Bookpreschool readerssilly and fun
THE UNICORN CAME TO DINNER by Lauren DeStefano is a story about change and how one girl deals with it…for a while. Like many children who have emotions that feel too big or powerful to deal with, Elizabeth has found…
Tags: anxietychangeEarly Readerselementary readersGaia CornwallLauren DeStefanoThe Unicorn Came to Dinnerunicorns
HOW TO SPEAK DOG by Aline Alexander Newman and Gary Weitzman, D.V.M. is irreverent and nutty and fun and incredibly informative. With scores of body language, barking, and general dog-behavior examples to learn, any…
Tags: Aline Alexander Newmandog behaviorsdog factselementary readersGary Weitzman MDHow to Speak DogNational Geographic
A modern environmental folktale with a very down-to-earth message, ONE LITTLE BAG by Henry Cole conveys a heartfelt story wordlessly. The detailed black and white drawings are highlighted with brown and red splashes…
Tags: environmentalHenry ColeOne Little BagPicture Bookpreschoolreduce reuse recyclewordless storyyoung readers
ALIENS AMONG US by Daniel Kariko is a must-have for any child (or adult!) who is fascinated with or horrified by bugs. Its juxtaposition of basic bug information including a black and white sketch and an up-close and…
Tags: Aliens Among Usall agesBugsDaniel KarikoInsectsnon-fiction
Children’s and middle grade literature often provides nuance and backstory to “villains.” R.J. Palacio’s WONDER follow up, “The Julian Chapter,” was no exception as it provided reasons if not excuses for Julian’s…
Tags: graphic novelmiddle gradeR.J. PalacioThe HolocaustThe Julian ChapterWhite BirdWonder
THE TRUTH ABOUT HAWKS by Maxwell Eaton III starts with a surprise, and it doesn’t pull any punches when it comes to how hawks get their meals, as the rabbit who begins the book learns. But the surprise to most…
Tags: Animalselementary readersMaxwell Eaton IIIThe Truth About Hawks
LISTEN by Holly M. McGhee is a gentle, sweet book that leads readers towards empathy by reminding us all to slowly take in our surroundings and revel in our connectedness. Aimed at ages 4-7, it will work for slightly…
Tags: EmpathyHolly McGheeListenmindfulnessPascal LemaitrePicture Bookpre-K readers
IF ELEPHANTS DISAPPEARED by Lily Williams is the third in the “If…Disappeared” books, and its precise but simple approach to explaining the vital influence one species can have is both effective and heartbreakingly…
Tags: Ecosystemselementary schoolIf Elephants Disappearedkeystone speciesLily WilliamsRoaring Book Presstrophic cascadeyoung readers
BETWEEN US AND ABUELA by Mitali Perkins depicts the hardship of distance between family members set against the backdrop of the annual Christmastime tradition of La Posada Sin Fronteras. During this time, family…
Tags: Between Us and Abuelaborder fenceChristmasimmigrationLa Posada Sin FronterasMexicoMitali PerkinsSara PalaciosUSA border
The topic of consent comes up with young children and adults alike. Sometimes parents and educators have a hard time helping preschoolers understand how to both understand what is important for others, and how to…
Tags: consentelementary readersIsy Abraham-RavesonPicture BookpreschoolThe Great Big HugTodd Hall
Climate change and the effects humans have on its rise has been a media and community focus all over the world. Young people have been leading the call for positive change, and they’ve been demanding that their…
Tags: Dougie Poyntermiddle gradePlastic Sucks!Recyclingsingle-use plastic
THE HELP YOURSELF COOKBOOK FOR KIDS by Ruby Roth is a joyful adventure in assembling snacks, creating colorful drinks, and exploring new flavors and textures in food. The vibrant combination of drawings and…
Tags: kids in the kitchenRuby RothThe Help Yourself Cookbook for KidsVegan CookVegan Cookbooks
FUTURE ENGINEERby Lori Alexander and illustrated by Allison Black is the second in the Future BabySeries. Like Future Astronaut, the board book juxtaposes grown-up engineers with babies playing to compare their…
Tags: Allison BlackBaby BookBoard BookEarly ReadersFuture BabyFuture EngineerLori Alexander
Maple Syrup, peanut butter and jelly, and vegetable soup are all included in Valorie Fisher’s new NOW YOU KNOW WHAT YOU EAT. The eye-catching and bright 3D-style graphics are at once simple and detailed. And the…
Tags: Early ElementaryEarly ReadersNow You Know What You EatPicture BookpreschoolValorie Fisher
BIG CATS by Nic Bishop is a stunning collection of images of tigers, lions, jaguars, and several types of leopards. Aimed at children ages 4-8, the large photo spreads will draw readers in, and the simple captions…
Tags: Big CatsEarly ElementaryJaguarsLeopardsLionsNic BishopPicture BookTigersyoung readers
TREE OF DREAMS by Laura Resau weaves many important and relevant issues throughout its story. The destruction of trees in The Amazon, the dangers for the people living within it, the broken bonds of friendship, the…
Tags: chapter bookdeforestationenvironmentalismLaura Resaumiddle gradeThe AmazonTree of Dreams
12-year-old Olivia (Liv) is starting her family’s annual summer vacation, but this year is very different because her father is staying home. OUT OF MY SHELL, by Jenny Goebel, follows Olivia as she pushes boundaries,…
Tags: ActivismComing of AgeenvironmentalismJenny Goebelmiddle grade readersOut of My Shellsea turtlessummer vacation
THE PEPPER PARTY PICKS THE PERFECT PETis an elementary level chapter book that is the first in a series about The Pepper Party, a family that is raucous and loving and wild and fun. The focus for this introduction to…
Tags: adopt don't shopanimal shelterJay CooperThe Pepper PartyThe Pepper Party Picks the Perfect Pet
The new collection of the poetry of Mister Rogers is a true gift for the children of today and the adults who grew up with Mister Rogers throughout their childhoods. A BEAUTIFUL DAY IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD includes 75…
Tags: A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhoodall agesFred RogersKindergartenLuke FlowersMister RogersMister Rogers' NeighborhoodPoetrypreschoolRead Aloudsongs
LOLA GOES TO SCHOOL by Anna McQuinn is a lovely and encouraging picture book for children starting Kindergarten or preschool. Fans of Lola’s previous adventures will recognize her love of reading and learning and…
Tags: Anna McQuinnFirst Day of SchoolKindergartenLola Goes to Schoolpre-KRosalind Beardshaw